[Menstrual staphylococcal toxic shock is still a reality].

INTRODUCTION

Staphylococcal toxic shock replies to precise clinical-biological criteria; but can be difficult to diagnose. Today, the nonmenstrual form of shock is the most frequent. The incidence of menstrual shock is low but their potential severity must be recalled.

OBSERVATIONS: A young 14 year-old girl and a 33 year-old woman presented with menstrual shock that was treated successfully. A relapse in the form of staphylococcal scarlet fever occurred in the second patient. In both cases, the strain Staphylococcus aureus, which produces the TSST-1 toxin, had been identified.

CONCLUSION

The possibility of the occurrence of a menstrual staphylococcal shock in the year 2002 must be known. The polymorphism of the clinical and biological manifestations must be underlined. The search for a toxin can be conducted in an appropriate centre.